JAPAN DATA: Orders for Japanese machine tools Y112.6.

JAPAN DATA: Orders for Japanese machine tools totaled Y112.6
billion in February, up 73.7% on year, decelerating from a revised
+89.8% in January, data released by Japan Machine Tool Builders’
Association show. Orders from the domestic market, which are seen as a
leading indicator for Japan’s core machinery orders (Feb figures due
Apr. 11), rose 91.3% on year, also slowing from a revised +100.4% in
January. Orders from overseas, which account for about 70% of overall
orders, increased 66.2%, compared with a revised +85.5% in January.